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Post by McFly on Feb 26, 2013 21:02:47 GMT 12
The 72nd anniversary celebrations of No 485 (NZ) Squadron who flew Spitfires during WW2 will be held at RNZAF Base Whenuapai this Friday (1st March 2013) and hosted by HQ 485 Wing RNZAF. Among the reunion events being held that day will be a 'Dedication' of the new Spitfire Memorial and a flying display by two Spitfires (PV270 & MH367) scheduled to occur at approx 2:30pm.  Whilst the event is closed to the general public due to being on the base, there will be an opportunity to view the display from the base perimeter fence line, with Kowhai Rd probably the best for the approach end of the display line and Brigham Creek Rd for an overall vantage.  Veterans in attendance will be Owen Hardy and Harvey Sweetman (NZ Aces), Max Collett and Jim Robinson + various family and friends. Previous reunions - rnzaf.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=airshow&thread=12810&page=1rnzaf.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=airshow&thread=15529&page=1 (Photo Gavin Conroy) |
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Post by Peter Lewis on Feb 26, 2013 21:59:16 GMT 12
. . and the following day:  |
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Post by McFly on Feb 28, 2013 20:07:45 GMT 12
Brendon Deere's Spitfire (PV270) with Harvard 37 in support is due at Whenuapai at 1030 with Doug Brooker's Spitfire (MH367) at 1100. A good day coming up me thinks...  |
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Post by McFly on Mar 1, 2013 20:35:58 GMT 12
Well what a great day out at Whenuapai today...! On cue at 10:30 Sean Perrett announced his arrival in PV270 in style with Brendon Deere some 15mins behind in Harvard 37. Doug Brooker in MH367 arrived at 11:00 with the current OC 485 Wing (GPCAPT Kevin McEvoy) in the back and delighted the base with some aero's. The mix and mingle lunch at the Wing HQ went well and it was a good opportunity for all to catch up again and view the 485 Sqn and Wing memorabilia. Following lunch, a dedication of the Spitfire Memorial took place with the assembled audience and was blessed by the Base Padre. Everyone agreed the memorial forms a stunning addition to the HQ. At 2:30 the two Spitfires got airborne and proceeded to give the whole base (and the boundary riders on the fence line) a stunning display of tight flying, tail chasing and individual routines. Also great to catch up with one 'Dave Homewood' again. And if Dave could have get any closer to the Spitfire during the start up he'd have been in it....! ;D Somewhat serendipitous was finding out that 'Jim Robinson' (one of the 485 Sqn veterans) and who flew in 81 Sqn in North Africa with Colin Grey, actually had FL-A assigned to him before Colin Grey, then gave it up for Colin and when Colin left the Sqn got it back and continued to fly it for the rest of the war. Doug Brooker was chuffed to find this out and Jim offered to share his photos of FL-A with Doug including Jim's personal artwork he carried on it. Pictures to follow... |
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Post by ErrolC on Mar 1, 2013 21:07:41 GMT 12
Looking forward to photos and more details!
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Post by pjw4118 on Mar 2, 2013 21:21:04 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 2, 2013 22:43:39 GMT 12
Super photos Peter. Thanks to Marty and Peter for a great day.
Jim Robinson is a really interesting chap, I had not had the pleasure of meeting him before. I really hope the recordings I made come out ok, the wind that came up was pretty bad.
I was only 'that' close to the spitfire Marty because you told me to stand next to you, but wow, what a great thrill that is to be that close on start up, eh! Thanks for that mate. The sound is intense and very, very cool.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 3, 2013 10:19:54 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 3, 2013 10:25:50 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 3, 2013 10:34:40 GMT 12
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Post by ZacYates on Mar 3, 2013 14:42:35 GMT 12
Thanks for the pics guys, looks like it was a fantastic afternoon :-)
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Post by trojanfan on Mar 4, 2013 14:54:15 GMT 12
Great Photos....those men are my heroes and deserve the recognition, well done RNZAF. And thanks to the Aviation Sports club for an enjoyable day on saturday, a very friendly and enthusiastic bunch!
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Post by Peter Lewis on Mar 5, 2013 22:45:46 GMT 12
As inferred, WASC had invited the Warbirds over on the Saturday. Attendees were the Harvard team, three Yaks from Pauanui, the L-39, the Trojan, Chipmunk, Slingsby and Doug Brooker in the MXR. After lunch, despite the lowish cloud base, there was an impromptu practice session by the Yaks, Doug, and the Harvards before home time. I've just finish processing photos for the club newsletter, so don't have time to caption these but they're fairly self-explanatory:                    |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 6, 2013 0:10:04 GMT 12
Nice photos Peter.
Do the bang seats actually go bang in the L-39's? Or are they unarmed?
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Post by McFly on Mar 7, 2013 18:08:13 GMT 12
A few more from the day  Veterans Harvey Sweetman, Jim Robinson, Owen Hardy and Max Collett.  Harvey Sweetman addresses the assembled audience with Doug Brown's OU-Q forming the backdrop.  Padre Paul Allen-Baines takes prayers at the Spitfire Memorial.  Padre Paul Allen-Baines blesses the Spitfire Memorial.  485 Sqn Veterans pose in front of the Spitfire Memorial.  (Photos RNZAF Official) |
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Post by McFly on Mar 7, 2013 18:12:10 GMT 12
MH367 and PV270 getting ready  Look out 40 Sqn... ;D  Owen Hardy tells Doug Brooker 'how it was'...  Pre start check-list complete...  Jim Robinson tries on a Spitfire for fit again.  Jim describing how he got his two 'kills' while with 81 Sqn in North Africa.  Max Collett and PV270  (Photos RNZAF Official) |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 7, 2013 21:23:23 GMT 12
Marvellous shots there Marty and Maria!
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Post by robgriffith on Mar 14, 2013 21:51:32 GMT 12
Hi,
Can anyone tell me if there will be a reunion for 485 Squadron in 2014? My Father was a member of the squadron and I would dearly like to attend. Thanks, Rob.
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Post by aircraftclocks on Mar 14, 2013 22:20:41 GMT 12
How did Jim get his 2 kills? Everytime I have attempted to talk to him about it, he's been a bit shy.
I know the day, as it is in the 81 Sqn ORB as being 28-8-43.
It just says he "bagged 2".
If interested I can post the record of that day.
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Post by McFly on Mar 19, 2013 19:15:28 GMT 12
How did Jim get his 2 kills? Everytime I have attempted to talk to him about it, he's been a bit shy. I know the day, as it is in the 81 Sqn ORB as being 28-8-43. It just says he "bagged 2". If interested I can post the record of that day. Aircraftclocks - I don't know the particulars of Jim's 2 kills and I didn't think it was appropriate to ask him on the day of the reunion. Jim like Owen Hardy keeps those particular events pretty close - and personally I don't blame them  . However, for our readers I think the ORB record of that day would be interesting. Also for those who didn't know. Jim Robinson flew the real Spitfire 'FL-A' in North Africa while with 81 Sqn. Doug Brooker was particularly interested to hear of the connection. Jim recently wrote to me with the following: "When Colin Gray was appointed CO of 81 Sqn in 1943, I was too junior, on the squadron, to have my 'own' aircraft and as CO he took FL-A for the few months he was with 81 Squadron. About a year later, with increased seniority, I was allocated FL-A and flew it until I left the squadron mid 1945 to return to New Zealand.
As a bit of a special, I took FL-A up to 30,000 feet on the day before I left 81 Sqn, went through all the aerobatics in the book, and put her back on the ground knowing I would never again fly such a beautiful aircraft"   |
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. However, for our readers I think the ORB record of that day would be interesting.